March 26, 2011
OXFORD, Ohio - The Boilermakers wrapped up Day 1 of the Miami Invitational with a 1-0 squeaker over Toledo as the wind chill dipped into the 20s and winds were whipping through Miami Softball Stadium.
Purdue managed seven hits in the game, while Toledo tallied three hits and committed an error in the game. Five different Boilermakers posted hits led by freshman Andie Varsho's 2-for-3 effort.
Senior Suzie Rzegocki (15-6) added another complete-game victory to her tally, striking out three in the effort. Jen Solanics (1-9) was saddled with the loss for the Rockets.
The Boilermakers put runners at the corners in the first inning, but could not manage a run. Junior Molly Garst drew a leadoff walk, stole second and went to third on a ground out, before being joined on base by senior Shelby Krammer, who was hit by a pitch. A strikeout stranded the pair.
Senior Aimee Gingerich singled and stole second with two outs in the second, but the Boilermakers were unable to bring her home.
Varsho singled and stole second and third to set up an RBI opportunity for freshman Tori Chiodo, who brought her in with a ground out to second base. Krammer added a two-out single, but the Boilermakers couldn't manage another score.
Toledo had its best scoring opportunity in the fourth, but the Purdue defense held strong. A fielder's choice play nullified a leadoff walk. A single and a wild pitch put runners at second and third, but a strikeout and a liner to first base kept the scoreboard clean.
Freshman Lauren Grant lifted a one-out single into no-man's land in right center in the bottom of the inning, but could not advance around the bases.
A triple to the left center wall put Varsho on in the fifth. A fielder's choice throw kept Varsho at third and allowed Chiodo to come aboard. Chiodo stole second, putting two runners in scoring position, but a pair of fielder's choice plays, one at the plate and one at second base kept Purdue from adding to its 1-0 advantage.
Miami tallied its final hit with a sharp infield single with two outs in the sixth, but a grounder to the pitcher capped the inning.
The Boilermakers wrapped up their offensive stand with a pair of hits and an error in the sixth. Rzegocki and freshman Lindsey Rains accounted for the hits, while Grant reached on a dropped pop up.
A strikeout and a pair of grounder to the pitcher clinched the Purdue win.
The Boilermakers return to action at 11 a.m. Sunday when they take on the Marshall Thundering Herd.